Conducting Business for New York State

Railroads of New York (RONY) represents the freight rail industry in New York State, comprised of four Class I freight railroads and 34 Regional (Class II) and Shortline (Class III) railroads. Together, these railroad members directly employ over 3,700 individuals and carry nearly 77 million tons of freight in 2 million rail carloads annually statewide.

RONY is also supported by its Associate and Contributing members which represent many businesses that provide goods and services to the freight rail industry, including engineers, surveyors, contractors and material suppliers.

RONY proudly partners with many of New York State’s businesses, economic development organizations, industrial development agencies and governmental agencies to help promote economic development efforts all across the state, helping to enable many of New York’s industrial, manufacturing and agricultural businesses to reach markets across the country and to realize a substantial competitive advantage over other businesses that lack access to the rail network.

“…to provide a trade association for all freight railroads that operate in the State of New York to advocate for the rights and needs of railroads and their customers, as well as to encourage economic growth within the state of New York.”

RONY News

Replacement of Historic Crossing in Letchworth State Park Will Protect the Long-Term Viability of New York State’s Freight Rail Network and Support Economic Growth

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced the start of freight rail service on the new Portageville Bridge in Letchworth State Park. The new bridge will allow Norfolk Southern Railway to continue safe, reliable, and efficient rail operations on the route — operations that are critical to the economic viability and growth of Upstate New York.

“The new Portageville Bridge complements the beauty of Letchworth State Park while providing safer, more efficient freight rail service,” Governor Cuomo said. “Through a combined effort with Norfolk Southern, government leaders and the public, we have built a modern arch bridge which will support economic growth in the region and continued our drive to strengthen and modernize transportation infrastructure across the state for generations to come.”

In December 2014, Governor Cuomo announced federal approval of the plan to build a new arch bridge to replace the historic Portageville Bridge carrying the Norfolk Southern Railway Southern Tier Line.

The new bridge was constructed just to the south of the old Portageville Bridge, which was built in 1875 and has been a prominent feature in Letchworth State Park for more than a century. That structure will be removed upon completion of the new arch span. The new bridge addresses deficiencies in the historic structure and is capable of carrying current industry standard freight rail loads while to the greatest degree possible meeting Federal Railroad Administration travel speeds.

The design and construction for the $75 million bridge project included $15.5 million in funds provided through the New York State, including a $2 million grant from the Finger Lakes Regional Economic Development Council and $13.5 million in State and federal funds through the New York State Department of Transportation; and $59.5 million from Norfolk Southern.

James A. Squires, Norfolk Southern Chairman, President and CEO, said, “This is a very exciting day for Norfolk Southern and for the future of freight rail service in New York’s Southern Tier region. The successful completion of this bridge is an excellent demonstration of how the public and private sectors can work together on freight transportation projects that generate significant public benefits and are vital to U.S. commerce. It’s also a testament to Norfolk Southern’s robust bridge program and the ingenuity of engineers and railroaders.”

New York State Department of Transportation Acting Commissioner Paul A. Karas said, “The new Portageville Bridge will help keep New York’s rail network running safely and efficiently, a top priority for companies looking to locate and grow their businesses in the Empire State. This is one more example of Governor Cuomo’s support for strengthening the State’s transportation infrastructure in a way that helps boost local and regional economies.”

The route is a critical freight rail link between Buffalo and Binghamton, and provides connections to Canada and the Eastern Seaboard of the United States. In addition to serving as essential freight link for Norfolk Southern, the Southern Tier route is used by Canadian Pacific Railway and provides interchange connections to 11 short line railroads.

The bridge was identified in the 2009 New York State Rail Plan as one of the ten most significant rail bottlenecks in the state. In 2011, the Regional Economic Development Council’s Strategic Plan identified replacement of the bridge among their five-year projects to address barriers to economic growth.

Representatives from Norfolk Southern and the following six federal agencies worked collaboratively on this project: Federal Highway Administration; Environmental Protection Agency; U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service; National Park Service; U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; and Advisory Council on Historic Preservation. State agencies involved include the Department of Environmental Conservation; Department of Transportation; and Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation.

More information is available on the project website at www.dot.ny.gov/portagevillebridge.

Governor Cuomo today named Ali Chaudhry as the new Deputy Secretary for Transportation.

“Railroads of New York wishes to congratulate Mr. Chaudhry on his new position within Governor Cuomo’s Administration,” said Nathan Fenno, President of Railroads of New York. “He has been a tireless advocate for New York’s robust transportation system and our member freight railroads look forward to working with him to continue to grow the state’s rail network to help promote economic development opportunities all across the state.”

Mr. Chaudhry most recently served as the Governor’s Deputy Secretary for Economic Development and has worked on a number of legislative issues with RONY over the past few years. Before that, he was Assistant Counsel to Governor Cuomo for two years with a focus on transportation and economic development. He provided counsel on priority capital projects including the LaGuardia Airport redevelopment, the new Tappan Zee Bridge, the Second Avenue Subway, the MTA Capital Plan, the DOT Capital Plan, the Empire Station Complex, the Broadband Initiative, and the expansion of the Javits Convention Center. Mr. Chaudhry has also served as counsel on various economic development projects across the State, as well as alternative project delivery procurement. Prior to joining the Executive Chamber, Mr. Chaudhry served as Assistant Counsel in the New York State Senate, where he was counsel to several legislative committees over the course of three years. Before joining public service, Mr. Chaudhry practiced civil litigation in the private sector, focusing on employment matters.

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced $25 million to fund rail and port improvement projects across New York. The grants, awarded through the Governor’s Passenger and Freight Rail Assistance Program, will support projects that strengthen infrastructure and economic development vital to the movement of goods throughout the state. The grants will leverage an additional $5.4 million in public and private investments to complete the projects.

“These grants will help strengthen New York’s infrastructure, attract new investments, and foster economic growth in communities in every corner of the state,” Governor Cuomo said. “A strong, reliable transportation system is critical to supporting safe, efficient travel for both New Yorkers and visitors, and our investments are key to ensuring the long-term resiliency of infrastructure across the state to support economic growth for generations to come.”

New York awarded $25 million to 19 applicants through a competitive solicitation process. These investments will support track rehabilitation, capacity expansion, railroad bridge repairs, and economic development opportunities. An additional $5.4 million in private and local funding is being leveraged through this State initiative.

New York State Department of Transportation Matthew J. Driscoll said, “Governor Cuomo knows the importance of transportation. Because of his leadership, New York continues to make smart investments that are modernizing rail and port infrastructure, encouraging commerce and making New York businesses more competitive in the global marketplace.”

New York City
• New York New Jersey Rail, LLC, Kings County: $1.6 million to construct additional tracks within the 65th Street Yard.
• Consolidated Rail Corporation, Richmond County: $1.7 million to replace worn rail on the Travis Industrial Track.

Western New York
• Chautauqua, Cattaraugus, Allegany and Steuben South Tier Extension Railroad Authority, Cattaraugus County: $1.5 million to improve track and facilities in Olean Yard.
• Erie County Industrial Development Agency, Erie County: $360,000 to rehabilitate and improve rail access to Sumitomo Rubber USA facilities.

The Passenger and Freight Rail Assistance Program provides state investments that improve and enhance the movement of freight goods and support economic development statewide. Program funding supports track and bridge rehabilitation to improve reliability; track capacity expansion to alleviate bottlenecks; and the modernization and expansion of rail yards and port facilities.

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced $16.3 million to fund rail and port improvement projects across New York State. These grants, from the Governor’s Passenger and Freight Rail Assistance Program, will support projects that strengthen infrastructure vital to the movement of goods throughout the state, as well as support economic development by leveraging an additional $12.8 million in additional public and private investments.

“Continuing to invest in and strengthen our infrastructure is critical to New York State’s future economic prosperity,” Governor Cuomo said. “These grants will help modernize and rebuild our state’s aging rail infrastructure, which will not only support existing commercial activities, but attract new business investments as well.”

New York State awarded $16.3 million to twelve applicants, through a competitive solicitation process. These investments will support track rehabilitation, capacity expansion, railroad bridge repairs, and economic development opportunities. An additional $12.8 million in private and local funding is being leveraged through this State initiative.

New York State Department of Transportation Matthew J. Driscoll said, “Under Governor Cuomo’s leadership, New York continues to make smart, strategic investments in rail and port infrastructure to foster economic growth. Freight goods movement helps drive the economy and improvements at rail and port facilities across the state will strengthen our State’s overall competitiveness.”

The list of grant recipients and awards are:

Capital Region

•CSX Transportation, Albany County – $3.5 million to add 5.4 miles of signaled main track and sidings.

•Erie County Industrial Development Agency, Erie County – $2.0 million for completion of a tie replacement and ballast project to upgrade mainline track connecting businesses.

•New York & Lake Erie Railroad, Inc., Cattaraugus and Chautauqua Counties – $732,768 for rail line rehabilitation between South Dayton and Cherry Creek.

The Passenger and Freight Rail Assistance Program provides state investments improve and enhance the movement of freight goods and support economic development statewide. Program funding supports track and bridge rehabilitation to improve reliability; track capacity expansion to alleviate bottlenecks; and the modernization and expansion of rail yards and port facilities.

Today, RONY Executive Director Scott Wigger presented testimony to the Legislative Fiscal Committee Budget Hearing on Transportation at which he outlined the needs in the NYS freight rail network and how the state’s freight railroads are prepared to partner with New York State to upgrade and strengthen the state’s rail infrastructure. Included in the Governor’s 2016-17 Executive Budget proposal is a $10 million appropriation for freight rail infrastructure projects and a seperate $10 million appropriation for a mix of freight rail, passenger rail and port projects. RONY expressed its support for increasing these proposed appropriations to a total level of $50 million. RONY members and staff will now continue to work with the Governor’s Office and Legislature as the final 2016-17 NYS Budget is negotiated, which is due by April 1st. For a full copy of the testimony Mr. Wigger presented at this hearing, please visit our RONY News page by clicking on the News & Information link to the left.

Governor Andrew Cuomo announced that NYS has awarded $17.8 million in funding from the State’s Passenger and Freight Rail Assistance Program to 12 rail projects that will repair and replace 65 miles of track and ties, rehabilitate rail grade crossings and bridges, and construct new connections to improve safety and operations. The projects that received the funding were selected through a competitive solicitation process and rated on established criteria, including project eligibility, consistency with state rail plans, regional economic benefits and the ability to leverage additional investments.

Projects selected for funding awards are as follows:

North Country/Mohawk Valley

Adirondack Railway Preservation Society of Utica, Oneida County, received $791,000 to construct a maintenance and repair facility in Utica for the Adirondack Scenic Railroad;

Mohawk, Adirondack and Northern Railroad Corp. of Batavia, Genesee County, received $567,000 to repair culverts and bridges on the Lyons Falls and Rome Branch lines. Two rail crossings also will be rehabilitated.

Mid-Hudson Region

Middletown & New Jersey Railroad LLC of Kennett Square, Pa., received $1.9 million to rehabilitate railroad track in Orange County.

Central New York

Syracuse, Binghamton and New York Railroad Corp. of Cooperstown, Otsego County, received $262,600 for rehabilitating the Renwick Avenue Bridge;

New York, Susquehanna and Western Railroad Co. of Cooperstown, Otsego County, received $2.3 million for improving rails, ties and surfacing.

Finger Lakes and Western New York

Depew, Lancaster & Western Railroad Co. of Batavia, Genesee County, received $145,000 to extend the Batavia engine house to accommodate a second locomotive and add paving and security to the transload warehouse;

Livonia, Avon and Lakeville Railroad Corporation of Lakeville, Livingston County, received $707,658 to replace the Spring Street railroad bridge in Avon, Livingston County;

Falls Road Railroad Co. of Batavia, Genesee County, received $466,000 to repair culverts and bridges in Monroe, Orleans and Niagara counties;

Chautauqua, Cattaraugus, Allegany and Steuben South Tier Extension Railroad Authority of Salamanca, Cattaraugus County, received $1.9 million to rehabilitate railroad track in Cattaraugus County;

Norfolk Southern Railway of Norfolk, Va., received $3.3 million to construct new connections and double track to improve operations at the Bison Yard in Buffalo.

Southern Tier

Central New York Railroad of Cooperstown, Otsego County, received $3.1 million to rehabilitate railroad track in Delaware and Broome counties.

New York City

Long Island Rail Road of Jamaica, Queens County, received $2.3 million to rehabilitate the Cypress Avenue railroad bridge.

RONY wishes to express its thanks to Governor Cuomo and the NYS Department of Transportation for these project awards that will greatly benefit the state’s rail network and economy as a whole.

In conjunction with the Association of American Railroads, the freight rail industry joined the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT), the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) and the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) in announcing a series of agreed-upon voluntary operating practices for moving crude oil by rail which includes the following measures:

Increased track inspections

Implementation of new emergency braking systems

Use of rail traffic routing technology to aid in the determination of the safest and most secure rail routes

Lower speeds when moving through urban areas

Increased community relations

Increased trackside safety technology

Increased emergency response training and tuition assistance

Railroad emergency response capability planning

In addition, railroads will continue to work with the Federal government and rail customers to address other key shared safety responsibilities, including Federal tank car standards and the proper shipper classification and labeling of crude oil moving by rail. For more information on this initiative, please visit www.aar.org.

Today, RONY Executive Director Scott Wigger presented testimony to the Legislative Fiscal Committee Budget Hearing on Transportation at which he outlined the needs in the NYS freight rail network and how the state’s freight railroads are prepared to partner with New York State to upgrade and strengthen the state’s rail infrastructure. Included in the Governor’s 2014-15 Executive Budget proposal is a $10 million appropriation for freight rail infrastructure projects and a $25 million appropriation for a mix of rail, aviation and mass transit projects. RONY expressed its support for these proposed appropriations and stated its request to further expand the state’s freight rail infrastructure capital program that was reestablished in the 2013-14 NYS Budget. RONY members and staff will now continue to work with the Governor’s Office and Legislature as the final 2014-15 NYS Budget is negotiated, which is due by April 1st. For a full copy of the testimony Mr. Wigger presented at this hearing, please visit our RONY News page by clicking on the News & Information link to the left.